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Masters of the Air: Part Three (2024)
PART 3
In the two-episode premiere of Masters of the Air, it is difficult to predict if Cleven, Egan, and Biddick will survive the entire war due to the lack of detailed knowledge about each man's history. However, the episode "Part Three" provides a good reason to ponder the lack of knowledge. Despite Cleven and Egan's uncertainty about Curt Biddick's whereabouts, the audience is certain. In the opening episodes, Biddick manages to avoid a deadly crash-landing and ends up with friendly people on the coast of Scotland. In the episode, the 100th Bomb Group, led by Lt. Roy Frank Claytor, successfully bails out of a plane that is going down fast. However, Biddick's attempt to steer his downed plane and save his co-pilot's life is thwarted by a highly placed tree cover, and the plane blows up midway through the episode. Barry Keoghan is bid adieu to the immensely talented actor, who is off to deal with his burgeoning film career. Chapter 3 involves a dangerous "three-punch combo" mission to Africa, aiming to bomb Regensburg for the longest time over German territory and deepest into Germany. Major Bowman announces the plan, which involves three task forces flying together and then splitting, allowing only one squadron to defend. The first squadron will refuel, while the second squadron will drop bombs on Schweinfurt. Instead of turning back, they will fly to Africa in Telergma, aiming to confuse the Germans while the Americans bomb sites with precision. Major Egan (Callum Turner) volunteers to fly in Captain Cruikshank's fort as a reserved commander pilot, despite being in the back seat. The 100th is "tail-end Charlie," meaning their squadron is at the end of the most dangerous place. Major Kidd leads the 418th, Major Veal leads the 349th, and the 351st squadrons are in the high position. Colonel Neil 'Chick' Harding orders the 100th to fly alone without cover or air support, causing chaos. Extra fighters stop the Germans from coming back for a second offensive. Quinn is held at gunpoint by resistance fighters in Germany-occupied Belgium. After jumping out of the plane, he lands safely and meets a girl who identifies as an American. She finds her father, who alerts her to the resistance. They explain that he can either turn himself in to the Germans, be placed in a prisoner camp, and survive the war, or escape back to England. If caught, he will be executed as a spy.
Masters of the Air: Part Two (2024)
PART TWO
British soldiers argue that American Air Force survivors are fewer due to daytime drops, which increase visibility. Americans prefer nighttime drops for safety, but this is considered reckless by American standards. The boys, Curtis and his friends, decide to settle the issue. Curtis challenges the Brit, who appears to play cricket, and lands a powerful combination, knocking out the fellow Allied serviceman. Curtis's friends celebrate with him, highlighting the importance of safety in the military. Gale, Curt, and Bucky lead a squadron to Norway to bomb German submarines. Bubbles recovers from frostbite, and Crosby takes over as navigator. Despite experiencing airsickness, he throws up and uses his helmet. Curt's bomber is damaged during the fight, and he must make an emergency landing in a Scottish field. Gale helps guide the aircraft to safety. Crosby struggles with calculations and vomit, and despite his radio being down, he helps Buck navigate the plane. They return to safety and Crosby is complimented for his cool head under pressure, which takes him back. Episode 2 begins with the men having a bicycle race on their base, followed by a failed air mission. Due to lack of visibility, CO Huglin scrubbed the mission, preventing US planes from dropping any bombs. The unit suffered significant casualties, with many pounded and rendered unfit to serve. Bosser and Dickie suffer frostbite, which prevents them from flying. Some men also suffered on the ground from a different kind of struggle. Major Egan invites Lt. Curtis Biddick for an alcohol blowout after the mission, feeling pained that he couldn't contribute to the mission and the loss of one of his men. He laments the loss of one of his men and reveals that he is set to meet the new Commanding Officer, Colonel Harding, the next morning. Episode 2 of Masters of the Air continues the success of the season opener, focusing on the main characters and separating them from the crowd. The episode's narrative sense is clear, and the performances of Cameron Turner and Austin Butler are impressive. The makers effectively convey their message without resorting to flashy writing or jingoistic patriotism, making it a sure-shot blockbuster that has all the trappings of a classic. Apple TV has started the year off with a blockbuster that has all the trappings of a classic.
Masters of the Air: Part One (2024)
PART ONE
Masters of the Air is a story about two best friends, Major Gale "Buck" Cleven and Major John "Bucky" Eagan, who serve in the US Air Force. They are part of the 100th Bomb Squad, which is sent to England to aid the 8th US Air Force in its aerial battle with Nazi Germany. Eagan, who has been promoted to General Air Executive, is not flying bomber planes in missions. However, he has a desire to contribute and has been hired as an Observation Pilot. The 100th Bomb Squad is part of four squadrons, led by Major Cleven, each with six to eight members. The unit, a highly trained and experienced group, landed in South Greenland base, facing a challenging real war scenario. The unit, consisting of US citizens, was led by Major Harry Crossby, a navigator. They had to fly from Greenland to Thorpe Abbotts Air Field to begin their missions. However, their plane, which was diverted towards France, and cloud cover hindered visibility. Despite the difficult landing, they managed to escape the dangerous situation. One of the flaps didn't open, and they had to crash land, which attracted the attention of CO Harold Huglin. The unit's bravery and character were tested in real war. Eagan, a unit commander, is summoned and warned about maintaining order. He pleads to be demoted to a Squadron Commander, but Huglin rejects his request. Huglin vomits blood on his table after Eagan leaves. On 25 June 1944, the unit's first mission is to hit German U-boat pens in Bremen, which are bunkers protecting them from air attacks. The 350th and 349th squads, led by Cleven and Major Wheeler, are tasked with neutralizing these boats, as nearly 70 Allies cargo ships have been downed in the sea. The importance of remaining together in a tight formation is emphasized, as German fighters could pick them off one by one. The unit must also brave ground artillery to prevent them from hitting the pens. The weather conditions are unfavorable, with dense cloud coverage making it difficult for planes to have visibility. Two planes nearly bump into each other before the mission starts. Artillery fire is started, and a few planes are hit, but they manage. Huglin, flying with the 349th, scrubs the mission due to poor visibility, unable to accurately bomb the pens from the open air. The unit is disappointed when the German counter in the air hits, causing significant damage and taking down three from the Air Force unit. Out of 19 planes, only 16 return. The alarm is sounded, and a full interrogation is undertaken. The excitement and build-up end with no bombs being dropped on the Germans, suggesting that this may be the new normal for the 100th bomb squad. In Episode 1, Masters of the Air is a companion piece to Band of Brothers, focusing on the camaraderie of unit members rather than the actual mission. The makers of the show share cinema essentials, making it difficult to remember characters initially. The storytelling focuses on the members of the unit rather than the mission itself. The technical proficiency behind the scenes is impressive, with impressive jargon in writing and performances. Visual effects set the standards, with cockpit sequences and air combat scenes being masterfully brought to life. If you were expecting something similar to Band of Brothers, Masters of the Air promises to be another stellar piece of content.
Dead Boy Detectives (2024)
Supernational, and Sexy
Netflix's Dead Boy Detectives follows two British teenagers, Edwin and Charles, who have been helping ghosts with unresolved matters for decades. The show introduces viewers to the adventures and afterlife of the characters, first introduced in The Sandman #25. However, their routine is disrupted by the arrival of amnesiac psychic Crystal Palace. Dead Boy Detectives uses a whimsical horror approach, pitting the central trio against various ghosts, demons, and macabre threats with a winking, humorous tone. The show is entertaining, garnering laughs with characters like an apologetic emissary of Hell and a bizarre anime-inspired tree with giant teeth named Teeth Face. The Dead Boys move to a small town in the Pacific Northwest, played by Canada, to help Crystal, who has been suffering from a bit of possession. They continue to take cases and contend with the ongoing threats of a witch named Esther (Jenn Lyon) and the supernatural bureaucrat Night Nurse (Ruth Connell). Lyon and Connell provide great fun as determined characters, with Lyon's Esther being casually cruel and Lyon's Night Nurse being uber disciplinarian. The show has some jokes that are repetitive and unappealing. Ghosts can communicate with cats, but every cat speaks in a grumpy voice, and Lukas Gage's appearances as the Cat King become repetitive over time. The snarky and insulting miniature Sprites are initially amusing but lose their appeal in later episodes. Yuyu Kitamura's character, Niko, is funny but rarely joins the Dead Boy Detectives' investigations like Crystal. The living girls' landlord, Jenny, is incidental and contributes little to the overall story, despite Briana Cuoco's likable performance. The show's humor and supporting characters feel adrift, with some characters feeling superfluous and incidental. Ruth Connell's role in Dead Boy Detectives is a reflection of the show's development, which was originally a spinoff of Doom Patrol for Max and later sold to Netflix. The show is more similar to the Netflix series The Sandman, with familiar faces like Kirby and The Sandman's Death. Despite Neil Gaiman's involvement, Dead Boy Detectives lacks the dramatic heights of The Sandman, and sometimes feels superficial and try-hard. Season 1 is a mid-point, emphasizing procedural mysteries over serialized storytelling. The third episode, about a family reliving their murder, is a highlight that leans into pure horror. The finale is just so-so, but preceded by a strong penultimate episode that fleshes out Edwin and Charles' personal histories. Despite some budget constraints, Dead Boy Detectives showcases impressive and creative imagery throughout the season, including a corpse garden, cool creature designs, and backstories rendered in different animation styles.
Anyone But You (2023)
Cute film, and an amazing love at first sight story.
Glen Powell, a movie star with charisma, has shown impressive range in Top Gun: Maverick and The White Lotus. However, Will Gluck's Anyone But You fails to generate screen chemistry or laughs, especially with the pedestrian writing. Anyone But You is a romcom with banter, hijinks, beaches, and hotties at its center. Despite not being the apex of movie-making, it occupies an interesting in-between space with breezy watchability and surprising sincerity. The film stars Glen Powell as Ben and Sydney Sweeney as Beatrice, two ex-exes whose first date ends in disaster. Years later, they implausibly pretend to be a couple at the wedding of their respective loved ones, Beatrice's sister Halle (Hadley Robinson) and Ben's childhood friend Claudia (Alexandra Shipp). The film's breezy watchability and surprising sincerity make it a movie-magical experience that won the reader over. The movie Anyone But You is filled with romcom cliches, with some that work and others that don't. The conflict between Bea and Ben is intense, but their reasoning for pretending to date is half-baked. The banter is middling, with characters sometimes delivering stilted quips. However, some gags, like Ben applying anecdotes from his drug-fueled days to present-day situations, play excellently. Powell and Sweeney compensate for this lack with hilarious physicality, which is the true selling point of the movie. The movie is at its most fun when everyone gets a little ridiculous. For literature nerds, Anyone But You is a comedy of errors in true Shakespearean fashion, with quotes from the bard himself sprinkled throughout. Michelle Hurd and Bryan Brown play opposite each other like Titania and Oberon, while characters like Halle, Claudia, and Claudia's brother Pete implement poorly planned schemes to unite Ben and Bea. There are ample references to Much Ado About Nothing, including character names drawn from that play. Anyone But You is a charming film that focuses on familial and romantic love, with a cast including Dermot Mulroney and Charlee Fraser. The film intentionally includes side characters, such as the brides-to-be, who are played with lively energy, convincingly portraying them as real, loving nearly-newlyweds. The film also features moments of downtime where the characters enjoy time in Sydney, Australia, enjoying themselves and laughing together. The references and quotes in the film are heavy-handed, but they serve as a harmless shorthand hearkening to the tradition of goofy ensembles and silly misunderstandings that make stories like this enjoyable. Anyone But You is a slightly declawed successor to 10 Things I Hate About You, but one with more gravity than She's The Man.
Shôgun: A Dream of a Dream (2024)
A masterpiece and cinematic experience
Series finale of Shogun has mixed feelings for the first time in its limited run. The episode ends with Blackthorne being smuggled out of Osaka and kept alive by the Jesuits who made a deal with Mariko and Lord Toranaga to usher him safely back to Ajiro. The deal was the Anjin's life in exchange for the ship, which Toranaga sunk and blamed on Christian spies. Blackthorne ruthlessly cracks down on the villagers as a test for the Anjin, which he passes when he offers up his own life in exchange for the villagers. The best part of the episode was the conversation between Yabushige and Toranaga before the former commits seppuku, with Toranaga as his second. The conversation was interesting as it revealed Toranaga's plans, including sending Mariko to Osaka to change Ochiba na Kata's mind and weaken Ishido's grip on the noble families. Yabushige, realizing that Toranaga has been planning his rise to power, exclaims, "You're no better than the rest of us in your secret heart!" In the final scene of the show, Hiroyuki Sanada and Tadanobu Asano, two legends of Japanese cinema, are portrayed as the two characters who are dying. Yabushige, a scheming Lord of Izu, desires a different death, one that is not ritual suicide but rather being torn apart by dogs or flesh-eating fish. He writes a death poem, which lacks the stirring beauty of Mariko's poem but serves as an outro for the scheming Lord of Izu. The poem instructs the dead body to be left in the field, filling the belly of a hungry dog. The performances of these characters are praised for their brilliance and emotional depth. Blackthorne, a character in James Clavell's novel, is only partially convinced of Toranaga's scheming. He believes that Mariko alone arranged the deal with the Jesuits, rather than Toranaga pulling all the strings. Toranaga stops Blackthorne from committing seppuku and instructs him to rebuild the ship and build a fleet. He also explains to Yabushige that the Anjin will never leave Japan. Toranaga keeps the Anjin alive because he makes him laugh and distracts enemies. This meta-commentary suggests that Blackthorne's character is not particularly important in the larger scheme, a departure from the book's focus on the European and historical context.
Shôgun: Crimson Sky (2024)
They don't make shows this authentic anymore
The flashbacks of Mariko's past add a layer of tragedy to her story, as her desire to take her own life persists for several years, including during her pregnancy. The story also highlights her religious faith and the emergence of resilience and language skills. Shogun is Mariko's story, and her perseverance and translation skills have allowed her to serve as a bridge between Toranaga and Blackthorne, highlighting her resilience and ability to connect with others. In Shogun Season 1 Episode 9, Mariko tries to convince Blackthorne that duty has called them both to Osaka simultaneously, but he is not convinced. He also doubts the Catholic missionaries who taught her English, who were motivated by financial interests. Yabushige also has doubts about Mariko's loyalty and intentions. The second-to-last episode, Crimson Sky, references Toranaga's plan for an invasion of Osaka. Mariko can still provide helpful exposition, informing him that Ishido is holding a member of each noble family hostage for protection purposes. Although their alliance remains intact, Yabushige and Blackthorne are less clear in their communications. The scene where both men refuse Mariko's translations serves as a reminder of the changes in alliances due to recent events. Mariko, in particular, is in the know and aware of what's coming next. Shogun highlights the importance of female counterparts in society, as seen in the bromance between Blackthorne and Yabushige. The relationship is marked by a lack of understanding and support from Toranaga, who is the most vulnerable man in Japan. Mariko, a skilled translator, helps Mariko navigate the complexities of the situation. Blackthorne, a ruthless character, is unaware of the decline of his stock and is unaware of the consequences of his actions. Mariko, on the other hand, is skilled in etiquette and tradition, as she chides Ishido for his lack of manners and informs him she will be leaving Osaka with Toranaga's captive consorts and infant son. Yabushige, however, is incensed to learn he has been left out of Toranaga's master plan. Mariko is the embodiment of discipline and self-mastery in her society, and she knows when to bite her tongue when necessary. The opening flashback highlights Mariko's past and current situation, reminding us of her father's struggles and her motherhood. She learns that her son has betrayed Toranaga by marrying the daughter of Kiyama, a fellow Christian. She is not afraid of being held against her will if she tries to leave Osaka, as such a move would only prove her point, but she fears suffering another family tragedy by being cut off by her son.
Shôgun: The Abyss of Life (2024)
Hiroyuki Sanada makes Shogun a masterpiece
In Shogun Season 1 Episode 8, Nagakado is roasted by his own funeral procession members, but he helps his father's cause by ensuring a 49-day period of mourning before Toranaga's death march to Osaka. Toranaga's former right-hand man, Blackthorne, is also managing a mixed-bag situation. He is no longer forced to submit to the Council of Regents and his service to Toranaga has officially come to an end. However, there is no telling what will happen to Blackthorne now that he no longer enjoys Toranaga's support. He is also abandoning Mariko and other allies to whom he owes his life as they march to their certain demise in Osaka. On the upside, Blackthorne will finally be reunited with his crew, which may make him feel like someone who went on a long vacation hoping their goldfish would survive on thoughts and prayers. In Osaka, Ishido is desperate to win over Ochiba, who has become the real power behind the Council. He proposes marriage, but the Heir's mother seems less enthusiastic. Nagakado's festivities take a troubling turn when Omi blames Toranaga for his friend's death.
Toranaga is bedridden with illness or pretending to be, his men wear armor in protest of his surrender, and Yabushige wants to ride on Osaka with a full cannon regiment. However, he is deflated by the news that Ishido anticipated such a move. These are bleak times for Team Toranaga. Blackthorne's mastery of the language and his use of his new fluency to dunk on Alvito provide some comic relief. The Portuguese/Spanish threat and the fate of the British/Dutch pit crew have been back-burnered amid the regency struggle, but the drama comes back to the forefront with Blackthorne's threat toward the Black Ship. The episode of Shogun's antipenultimate episode is filled with bleak times for Team Toranaga. Blackthorne's mastery of the language and his use of fluency provide some comic relief.
Shôgun: A Stick of Time (2024)
Story is so beautiful, and True Japanese culture
A Stick of Time, a new episode of Shogun, opens after a bloody battle, showcasing the show's unflinching portrayal of feudal carnage. The scene features battered corpses and close-up beheadings, but the viewer may feel let down when a man shouts "The war is over!" The show then reveals that the scene is the aftermath of Toranaga's first battle 46 years prior. The young warrior accepts his enemy's surrender and assists him with his seppuku. Toranaga's political maneuvers have been observed since Shogun's pilot episode, and this scene is possibly the most revealing of his character. Toranaga, a man with strong warrior instincts, seeks to make amends with his long-lost brother, Lord Saeki, but their rift is not due to lingering resentment. After a good-natured ribbing, Toranaga and Lord Saeki decide to let bygones be bygones. Toranaga still dislikes his "mongrel half-brother" and uses a tactic to win him over, using top-tier prostitutes. The Anjin is curious about his role in the Crimson Sky plan, but Blackthorne isn't shocked when Toranaga declines to divulge details. The exchange contributes to the mounting friction between these uneasy allies, as Toranaga has never been one to post his plans on a billboard. The Anjin's uneasy allies are influenced by the Anjin's refusal to disclose details, highlighting the tension between their uneasy allies. Omi, upset that Saeki is taking up Kiku's time, redirects his anger to Blackthorne, accusing him of soiling Gin's tea house. Gin, unperturbed, suggests Kiku is infatuated with someone else. The show's dynamic female character, Fuji, embodies the best traits of Toranaga, Blackthorne, and Mariko, providing the clearest thematic link between their storylines. Fuji's conflicting emotions remind us that she shares Blackthorne's courage and Toranaga's commitment to duty, while also possessing Mariko's knowledge of the futility of it all. Saeki publicly disrespects Toranaga, leading to an act of betrayal that makes a story of childhood incontinence look like kids' stuff. His official reasons for betraying his brother and nephew to the Council of Regents might be political, but it's clear that he was primarily motivated by old-fashioned sibling rivalry. Yabushige, who has been playing both sides of the fence, is also uncertain about his allegiances. Gin's wisdom and entrepreneurial ambition come to the fore as she shares her vision of a brighter future in which courtesans are unionized and allowed to work together in a centralized brothel district.
Shôgun: Ladies of the Willow World (2024)
Done so Beautifully
The sixth episode of Shogun, titled "Ladies Of The Willow World," focuses on the female characters, including Mariko and her mother, Ruri. Mariko's father, Lord Akechi Jinsai, murdered the previous shogun and was forced to execute his family members and commit Seppuku as punishment. In the latest episode, it is revealed that Toranaga played a role in the assassination, as he restraining Jinsai. Ochiba No Kata, who hates Toranaga, reveals that Jinsai killed her father and that Toranaga planned the assassination. She urges the regents to destroy him, but she believes Ishido cannot win. The episode highlights the importance of female characters in the shogun series. In the episode, Toranaga and Mariko discuss their unhappy marriages and the consequences of such relationships. Toranaga is unhappy with Buntaro for his actions at the Anjin's house, and he expresses his disgrace towards him. Mariko, on the other hand, shows Blackthorne a different side of life, as long, unhappy marriages can make anyone angry and bitter. Mariko explains that her father had big plans for her, but she didn't know that he married her so badly. He sent her away to keep her safe, knowing that he was about to carry out his heinous regicide. Toranaga also questions Mariko about Ochiba's hatefulness against them, and she replies that men go to war for various reasons, while women simply go to war. At the end of the episode, news of further strife in Osaka comes, and Toranaga declares Operation Crimson Sky, a plan to storm Osaka with force and form a new government with Toranaga as shogun. Ochiba believes that Toranaga may be playing a longer and more subtle game than he lets on. One of the best scenes involves Blackthorne and Mariko visiting a "Tea House" called Willow World, where they spend the night with a famous courtesan, Kiku. Mariko is there as a translator and spy for Toranaga, but rumors of her and the Anjin's closeness have preceded them. After a ritual sake pouring and discussion about the Willow World, Kiku invites both of them to the private room. Mariko declines, and Blackthorne follows the courtesan alone, brushing his hand over Mariko's hand.
Shôgun: Broken to the Fist (2024)
Fist breaks the heart.
Shogun, a popular show known for its depiction of 17th-century combat, has been criticized for its brutality. The show's portrayal of Ishido's men being obliterated with cannons and their gory remains being loaded into wagons may have been difficult for some viewers. The peasants of Ajiro, who are tasked with cleaning up the remnants of the massacre, are aware of the village's imminent destruction. When a procession of troops arrives in the opening minutes of Shogun Season 1 Episode 5, the audience assumes it is Ishido seeking revenge for the death of Jozen and his loyal vassals. However, the ensuing twist leaves viewers questioning the authenticity of Buntaro's death and the importance of his life. The return to Osaka promises political intrigue as the Heir's mother, Lady Ochiba, is making her way home, and the Council of Regents is ready to impeach him. The show's return to Osaka promises to be a return to its best aspects, with the characters' lives and actions reimagined. The Council must find a replacement for the wayward regent, Buntaro, to secure the five votes needed to commit seppuku. The regents' conflicting loyalties and agendas make the selection process long and tedious. Buntaro's journey of survival took 20 days, and his wife, Mariko, seems less than thrilled by his return. The producers of Shogun kept Buntaro's details off-camera, but the decision to withhold them was strategic for the show's advantage. Mariko's situation is further complicated by Toranaga's expectation that she live under one roof with Buntaro and Blackthorne for her spying/translating duties. The strong likelihood of someone dying a violent death undermines the comedic potential. Toranaga is furious at Nagakado for killing Jozen, which could plunge the country into civil war. After uttering the episode's titular line and making falcon analogies, Toranaga strips Nagakado of his command of the cannon regiment. The show "Shogun" effectively introduces subtextual thematic elements without stealing momentum from its hyper-intricate plot mechanics. The episode "Servants of Two Masters" sets the stage for the entangled loyalties that create tension for Mariko and Nagakado. Toranaga addresses both matters in rapid succession, highlighting Buntaro's fear of the Anjin and his new status as hatamoto. The episode also features people with one foot in two different worlds, as Yabushige tries to convince Toranaga that he is not a double agent who also serves Ishido. Toranaga reveals his support for the plan to provoke Ishido into attacking and praises Omi for his strategy. The show's writers deliver wildly intricate plotting, ensuring the viewer is never at a loss and feels fully swept up in the momentum of the epic saga.
Shôgun: The Eightfold Fence (2024)
Beautiful episode
The fourth episode of FX's Shogun, based on the 1975 James Clavell novel, has been slow at times, but the fourth episode has gotten me hooked. Director Frederick E. O. Toye helmed the show, with Nigel Williams and Emily Yoshida writing. The slowness is not due to lack of action or presence, but the rhythm of the narrative. The main focus is on Cosmo Jarvis' John Blackthorne, or Anjin, as he slowly adapts to his new Japanese surroundings. This episode presents him with his biggest challenges yet, including his relationship with Moeka Hoshi's Usami Fuji. The writers use this relationship to further the relationship between Mariko (Anna Sawai) and Blackthorne, but more of it is needed as the series progresses. The two inch closer on a couple of occasions, especially during gift exchanges. The "all-noble man" schtick of Blackthorne is appreciated, but his performance in the 1600s is sometimes unappealing. The "twist" of Blackthorne not having been to a ground battle before is predictable, but the show manages to put Toranaga's men over the edge by learning how to use cannons. The political game of Shogun remains intriguing, but the development of this aspect in this episode was disappointing. The growing sense of war has been present in the past few episodes, and Sawai's character announced a guest in the final line of "The Eightfold Fence." However, the political subplot didn't stand out in this episode. It's clear that there are frustrations within the small village Toranaga and his people are living in, and the Council may be working to highlight these issues. The absence of Toranaga for most of the episode was disappointing. Anna Sawai's performance in Blackthorne's bath scene was stellar, with a special fanfare for pretending to be another woman who snuck into the Englishman's bedroom. The show's full potential is evident, but the author is eagerly anticipating more of her past. They are curious about why she speaks perfect English and why the religious subplot hasn't been revisited for a while, which is a significant aspect of the show. Shogun Season 1 Episode 4 showcases the talent of Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks in establishing tone in a world where the average viewer knows very little. The opening scenes, such as a messenger carrying an urgent missive for Lord Omi, are familiar to viewers, as they depict peasants preparing for the arrival of bigwigs and the local lord beaming with anticipation. The title of hatamoto and the mores of feudal Japan are universal concepts, and we recognize Fuji's despair when we see it. While we are learning about the customs that have cost her her son and husband and are causing her degradation, we understand the depth of her suffering on an innate level. This pain could make her a danger to those around her or instill her with profound compassion and empathy. Fuji, ordered to serve as Blackthorne's consort, begs to quit the clan and become a nun, but is denied by Lady Mariko. Both women are without their husbands, but Mariko believes Buntaro died with honor, while Fuji's husband committed seppuku, leaving her without benefits. Fuji agrees to serve as the Anjin's consort for six months, as she retains power as a former samurai caste member. Toranaga, a former member of the samurai caste, avoids seppuku byzantine schemes. The Council of Regents must recruit a replacement before handing down a death sentence to Toranaga. Shogun writers face the challenge of introducing unfamiliar traditions and practices to a Western and 21st-century audience without pandering or slowing down the action. The series is innovative and distinct, making it a cliche to compare it to TV's last great feudal epic, Game of Thrones.
Shôgun: Tomorrow Is Tomorrow (2024)
Tomorrow is Tomorrow
Cosmo Jarvis' performance as John Blackthorne in the 1980 miniseries is commendable for its rawness and commitment. This performance contrasts the elegance of the upper classes with the grime and muck of being not among the elite, de-romanticizing our understanding of the past. Jarvis' reaction to the idea of more than one bath a week is commendable, but the rawness and intensity of the role are not enough for this kind of role. The show's attempts to contrast the elegance of the upper classes with the grime and muck of being not quite among the elite work well to de-romanticize our understanding of the past. The first two episodes of Shogun were visually stunning and intricately plotted, meeting the story's high dramatic stakes while maintaining a measure of grounded relatability. The show may have been too complex and byzantine in its depiction of the political machinery of feudal Japan for some viewers. However, the rewards have been well worth the effort. Blackthorne has survived an attempt on his life, and Toranaga wants Yabushige to help him get to the bottom of the matter. Yabushige, Toranaga's vassal, is looking out for number one and reveals that his loyalties are for sale. He won't betray Toranaga for his seat on the Council of Regents, but he will betray Ishido if Toranaga gives him the Suruga province. Toranaga agrees to the arrangement in exchange for Blackthorne and Lady Kiri's safe transport to Ajiro, setting the stage for one of the most famous scenes in the James Clavell novel on which the series is based. This iteration of Shogun is a demanding watch, but anything less would be a betrayal of the source material. Showrunners Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks have an intuition for pacing, knowing when to step on the gas and when to pump the brake, making a character's motives crystal clear, and withholding information. The intricate plot strands are being meticulously woven into a rich tapestry, making it a must-watch for fans of the series. Shogun is a series that explores cultural similarities and differences, highlighting the interplay between religion and commerce. The conversation between Blackthorne and Mariko highlights the universality of sex and medicine, while Buntaro's interruption of his wife's sexually charged conversation with a barbarian highlights Kondo and Marks' ability to convey a lot with minimal words. The show continually increases tension, as Blackthorne, Mariko, Kiri, and their party prepare to decamp from Osaka. The scheme becomes clear when a diversion is created, and the old switcheroo takes place under Ishido's nose. Blackthorne offers a distraction, allowing Toranaga to carry out his ruse. This is the first time Blackthorne demonstrates loyalty to any daimyos, a departure from his previous stance as hostile captors. Shogun balances intricate plotting with old-fashioned sex and violence, proving that no show has balanced intricate plotting with old-fashioned sex and violence since Game of Thrones. The show's most pulse-pounding action scene results from Kiyama's attack, exposing Toranaga's scheme and resulting in a multi-lateral conflict.
Shôgun: Servants of Two Masters (2024)
Truly a masterpiece
The last episode of the series, "Servants of Two Masters," saw the three main characters, Lord Toranaga, Anjin, and Mariko, in a room together. The importance of the moment was highlighted, as Toranaga and Anjin need each other for survival, and Mariko's goals remain a mystery. The second episode, "Servants of Two Masters," follows the same pattern, with Toranaga's relationship with the deceased emperor and an Important Conversation establishing bonds. However, after an exchange with Father Martin, Anjin is sent to jail, leaving the audience uncertain about the outcome. The story emphasizes the importance of teamwork between unlikely allies, and the viewer should not feel forced or arbitrary in the "earning." The relationships between the main characters should be built on a plausible foundation, allowing for uncertainty and tension. The series aims to build relationships between the three main characters, ensuring they are built on a plausible foundation rather than starting from scratch. In the second episode of Shogun, "Servants of Two Masters," Lord Toranaga faces a dilemma with the Council Regents, as John Blackthorne becomes a pawn in two separate plots. The episode begins with a flashback to Osaka a year prior, where the Taiko warns Toranaga of the vultures circling and asks him to become the sole Regent. In present-day Osaka, Lord Rodrigues discusses the heretic foreigner with fellow Jesuit clergymen, Father Dell'Acqua and Martin Alvito. Rodrigues warns them of Blackthorne's crimes against Catholics and his potential threat. Alvito is summoned to the throne room and is required to translate between Toranaga and Blackthorne, revealing his disdain for Catholicism as a Protestant. The dialogue between Torananga and Blackthorne is crucial, as Lord Ishido arrives and "the Freak from the West" is imprisoned and set for execution. The episode highlights the tensions and potential civil wars that could arise between the two lords. Mariko's family, including her son and husband, Buntaro, is summoned by Lord Toranaga to feast with him, his wife Lady Kiri, and other noble people. They reminisce on Mariko's wedding 16 years ago, signaling she married shortly after the death of her father, Lord Kurdo. Toranaga plans to use John's religious bias to sow division among the regents, as two of them are devout Catholics. Without the full support of each regent, Ishido cannot proceed with a unanimous vote. John makes do in prison, where he meets an aging prisoner who reveals his allyship with Toranaga is doomed as they both will not leave the castle alive. The elder also reveals that the Catholics control the trade route of Japan's most valuable vessel, the Black Ship, captained by Ferriera (Louis Ferreira). He alleges their economic power has formed secret bases in Macao to convert Japanese allegiances against the current rule. Ishido meets with the Council Regents, Lords Kiyama (Hiromoto Ida), Sugiyama (Toshi Toda), and Ohno (Takeshi Kurokawa), who object to Toranaga's impeachment plan. Ishido requests they vote on Toranaga's impeachment, but Kiyama and Ohno object, opting first to execute Blackthorne. Toranaga's plan works as predicted. With Mariko serving as translator, John reveals the Portuguese conspiracy, claiming they seek to replace all non-Christian rulers of Japan and ally to eliminate their common enemies. Toranaga takes this news to heart, and as the President of Foreign Affairs, delays the Black Ship's departure, much to the dismay of Ferriera and Lord Kiyama.
Shôgun: Anjin (2024)
This show is better than GOT
Shogun, a historical epic, has been compared to Game of Thrones, but the first episode does meet these expectations. Set in 1600 Japan, a feudal society without a supreme ruler, the taiko appointed five powerful daimyo to share power until his son came of age. The show follows the perspective of Lord Toranaga, an elder statesman and war hero, whose bloodline and popularity put him at odds with the other four daimyo. The show is moderately compelling, with a better understanding of power dynamics as the show progresses. In the first episode, Shogun switches between Toranaga's perspective and that of English navigator John Blackthorne. Blackthorne is lost at sea, doubting the existence of Japan's rumored island nation. His captain commits suicide, leaving John as first-in-command. The show's rigor, ritual, and notions of honor are not groundbreaking, but the show remains moderately compelling as the show progresses. The first episode of Shogun switches between Toranaga's perspective and that of John Blackthorne, who is left as first-in-command after his captain commits suicide. Blackthorne and his crew are taken prisoner by Yabushige, a schemer with unusual ideas about death and sexual fetishes. The episode's tone is confused by cutting from serious political drama to Blackthorne's culture-shock capering. Blackthorne's interactions with the locals are mainly in the form of grunts or wild gesturing, or they are mediated by a Papist Portuguese priest. He is Protestant, virulently so, as he shows by stomping on the priest's cross, which seems to impress Yabushige. This sense of religious strife becomes increasingly relevant as the pernicious influence of the Catholic Church in Japanese affairs becomes apparent. The Japanese cast does speak their language, which helps with believability. English is often substituted for Portuguese, which can be confusing but is a concession to popular appeal. By the end of the first episode, both Blackthorne's and Toranaga's narratives have converged, which is not so much a spoiler but the inevitable direction of travel. In my view, Shogun really picks up steam, as the mist lifts and its qualities become clearer. The first episode demands a lot of attention due to the sheer amount of information it churns out, as well as the regular shifts in perspective that can be dislocating. The bizarre fish-eye lens and chromatic aberration make the picture look cheaper than it is, even if the CGI and greenscreen do occasionally fail the eye test.
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009)
Beautifully written and amazing characters.
Darren Shan's The Vampire's Assistant saga is a unique and captivating novel that follows the life of a teenage protagonist, Darren Shan. The saga begins with the mundane world of Darren Shan, where he lives with his friends and grades. However, he becomes the Vampire's Assistant, a character who becomes a part of the saga. As the story unfolds, readers are introduced to the dark world of vampires, the time-old, logistical world of vampires, and the loveable freaks who give the novel life. Shan creates a reality within the world we live in with numerous plot twists and turns, and ends the series in a clever yet incredible way, making readers believe in the vampire world. "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" is a movie featuring various characters, including vampires, evil vampires, a Wolf-Man, a Bearded Lady, a Monkey Girl, a Snake Boy, a dwarf, and a spider. The movie is filled with special effects and gruesome characters, but it is bloodless and confusing. The movie is shot through with disconnected sequences, leaving the audience unsure of their location or relationships in space or time. Characters like the Bearded Lady (Salma Hayek) and Willem Dafoe are thrown in and out at random, while a mannered giant named Mr. Tiny (Michael Cerveris) has flaming gay affectations for no purpose. A paternal vampire named Larten Crepsley (John C. Reilly) is proud of developing a system of feeding off humans without killing them or turning them into vampires. The Cirque du Freak comes to town for a one-night stand in an abandoned theater, and despite the small audience's objections, the movie is a thrilling and bloody experience. The film features two high-school kids, Josh Hutcherson and Chris Massoglia, as the hero and anti-hero respectively. They are part of a warring vampire faction, the followers of Larten Crepsley, who don't kill during meals, and the evil Vampanese, who kill due to centuries-old habits. The characters end up on opposing teams. The story is wrapped in a grotesque grotesquerie, with the film offering a moral at the end, which is that it's not about who you are, but who you are.
Tower Heist (2011)
I Loved this film and the story
"Tower Heist" is a heist comedy-thriller hybrid that features eight names in the screenplay credits. Ben Stiller plays Josh, the building manager for New York's fanciest apartment block, and Alan Alda plays Arthur Shaw, a plutocrat living in the penthouse. When Arthur steals the building staff's pension fund, Josh persuades them, along with a local criminal, to burgle Arthur's apartment in revenge. The film is fantastically OTT, with some spectacular moments, but many disparate ideas are thrown together. The film could have provided the viewer with a solid gold automobile being lowered from the penthouse of the Trump Tower with Matthew Broderick dangling from it. While Trump Tower has been renamed "The Tower," the film is an imperfect world with simple human spectacles. The movie "The Heist" is not a great heist movie due to its stupidity, lack of complexity, and the cast's choice of Ben Stiller as the hero. He was born to play the victim of heists, not the gang leader. Tower Heist is a movie based on logic leaps, assumptions, and dumb luck, with characters acting on hunches or theoretical probabilities. Directed by Brett Ratner, the film follows Josh Kovacs, the manager of a prestigious Columbus Circle high-rise in New York City, who and his staff fall prey to a Ponzi scheme devised by wealthy Wall Street businessman Arthur Shaw. A small group of workers conspire to rob his penthouse residence, despite the film's lack of logical coherence. Despite its shortcomings, Tower Heist offers solid performances and a memorable experience. Tower Heist is a film with a straightforward premise, but it takes about 45 minutes of its 104-minute runtime to reach the point where characters begin planning the heist. The buildup leading up to the heist is engaging, with Matthew Broderick and Michael Pena providing great performances. However, the actual heist begins to fall apart as the setups are too complex and the characters don't maximize their potential. The payoffs for these setups don't add up in the long run, and the characters don't maximize their potential. The film's illogical mess is a result of too many variables in the heist. Tower Heist is a film that focuses on the characters, with Eddie Murphy's performance as the criminal Slide and Tea Leoni's comedic performance as the FBI special agent assigned to the case. The film is entertaining and never boring, with a mental shutdown required. The plan for robbing the penthouse relies on fortunate accidents that would never happen in real life, but the film doesn't take itself seriously enough to demand cerebral attention. If you enjoy any of the actors in the film, you should definitely check it out. The film is good-natured, schlocky fun, and if you like any of the actors, you'll likely enjoy it.
Ruthless (2023)
Heart-pounding thriller
Dermot Mulroney, known for his "old man action film" roles, has released nine films this year. His latest film, Ruthless, follows his character, Harry, who is stoic and demonstrates alternative ideals about moral justice by protecting a young woman connected to his life. Director and co-writer Art Camacho's take on the character comes off as more laughable than watchable. Mulroney plays a disgruntled wrestling coach named Harry, who admonishes a young man for groping his date without consent. He breaks the kid's arm and offers him a ride to the hospital. After his daughter is killed by her abuser, Harry returns to a high school gym and reluctantly connects with student Catia (Melissa Diaz), who is abused by her step-father and neglected by her mother. When Catia is trafficked by her father to a criminal organization run by Dale Remington (Jeffy Fahey), Harry does whatever he can to bring her home from Las Vegas. The dialogue in Ruthless is stale and unnatural, with comfortable pauses after statements and sincerity. The plot feels like the low-budget version of Nobody without a stable story structure. While Mulroney's commitment to the part is worth watching, the future of Mulroney remains unknown. Ruthless is a muscular action thriller directed by Art Camacho, featuring the character of Harry (Dermot Mulroney), a mild-mannered wrestling coach. The film follows Harry's journey as he faces brutal assault and death, with his daughter being brutally assaulted and dying. Harry reconnects with Catia, a student he learns is being physically abused by Tom (Mauricio Mendoza), her mother's boyfriend. Tom assists Sergio in trafficking Catia to Dale Remington (Jeff Fahey), where she and other young girls will be auctioned off to the highest online bidder in Las Vegas. Harry sets out to rescue Catia, but is being tracked by Det. Chuck Monaghan (Niko Foster), who helped put away Harry's daughter's killer. There may be a connection between these two crimes. Mulroney's performance as Harry is charming and gritty, while his boxing trainer Martin (Texas Battle) is a standout. The aging Mulroney enjoys being a B-movie action star and acquits himself well in fight scenes. Ruthless picks up steam as Harry heads to Vegas to infiltrate Remington's human trafficking ring. While scenes of the auction are not very suspenseful, the action that transpires as Harry dispatches a series of guys as he tries to save Catia is equally compelling and cheesy. Despite Mulroney's flinty performance, no one else involved in the film seems to take things seriously. Mendoza is a hoot as Tom, and Jeff Fahey delivers a strong performance as Remington.
The Tiger's Apprentice (2024)
This film will tug at your heartstrings
The animated film, based on a novel by Laurence Yep, is a Chinese-flavoured comfort food that arrives just in time for the lunar new year and February half-term school holidays. The story revolves around teenage Tom, who lives in San Francisco with his eccentric grandmother, Amah, who is the guardian of a purple stone that can be turned into a phoenix. The film's shapeshifting villain Loo (Michelle Yeoh) is after this stone, and Amah is aided by an Avengers-style posse of animal-people-zodiac entities, including Hu (Henry Golding), the tiger of the title. Hu must learn to be a better teacher for Tom, his new apprentice, to foil Loo's evil plans. The film is a perky, likable, but derivative animated feature that is perfect for both the lunar new year and the February half-term school holidays. "The Tiger's Apprentice" is an animated film that features 11 magical animal-people-whatsits, each representing an animal in the Chinese zodiac. However, the film's main character, Loo, is locked up in magic jail, leaving only the tiger, dragon, rat, monkey, and rabbit to assist Tom in training and fighting Loo. The film also features a skateboarding, guitar-shredding human love interest, Rav, in the form of Rav (Leah Lewis). The film's appearance is generic, with a Who's Who cast including Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding, Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, Bowen Yang, and Greta Lee. Despite the impressive cast, the film's storytelling is mediocre, with only a few amusing moments and visual flourishes. The film's success is largely due to the talented cast, but the film's overall look is generic and lacks the depth and diversity of Asian representation in animated cinema. "The Tiger's Apprentice" is a visually appealing film with some impressive animation and some humorous moments, but it fails to fully utilize its potential. While it may be entertaining for younger viewers, it may not inspire a sequel that fully explores the promising mythology and characters. The film's lively and colorful nature may inspire a sequel that takes more time to fully explore these elements. The Tiger's Apprentice, directed by Raman Hui, is a thrilling adventure that follows Tom Lee, a Chinese-American high schooler who is tasked with continuing his family's legacy as a guardian with the help of the animals of the zodiac. Based on Laurence Yep's book, the movie follows Tom as he takes on the role of a guardian to protect humanity from evil forces. When disaster strikes, Tom must take his grandmother's place as a guardian to defend a phoenix egg from the nefarious Loo (Michelle Yeoh), who seeks to use it for her own purposes. Hu, one of the twelve members of the zodiac, takes Tom under his wing and introduces him to the rest of the animals, including Mistral the dragon (Sandra Oh) and Sidney the rat (Bowen Yang). The cast of the movie is its greatest strength, with Henry Golding being a standout and the intriguing dynamic between Hu and Mistral. The ensemble is entertaining and varied enough, with great potential for more stories set in the same world, focused around other animals of the zodiac, or further adventures centering Tom and Hu. The film has a lot of scope in the premise, and there is a surprise reveal towards the end that suggests the filmmakers must at least be considering a sequel. Whether they make one or not, The Tiger's Apprentice is a self-contained, satisfying story that will both entertain and tug at the audience's heartstrings.
Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver (2024)
Zack Snyder Is the King of sci-fi films
Rebel Moon creator Zach Snyder praised Part One: A Child of Fire as an exciting new dawn for the sci-fi genre, featuring a two-part story involving a bustling galaxy ruled by a militaristic regime. However, after two hours and 15 minutes, Part One proved unsatisfactory and half-baked action movie cobbled together from parts of more inspired genre fare. Rebel Moon Part Two: The Scargiver offers only a slight improvement, thanks to its simpler story and more enticing climactic battle, but two more hours of the same shallow characters and plot. The plot of The Scargiver plays out like Seven Samurai/The Magnificent Seven meets Return of the Jedi, with the warrior crew returning to the moon of Veldt to protect the villagers from the Imperium army. With a ticking clock counting down until an Imperium dreadnought arrives, Snyder spends a gratuitous amount of time showing the villagers and warriors harvesting the land. The voiceover of Anthony Hopkins' mechanical knight, James, is confounding and provides little value to the story, except for a late tag-team entry into the fray. "Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver" is the second installment in Zack Snyder's sci-fi series, featuring a group of space-Amish farmers who face off against cartoon baddies with jackboots and glowing swords. The film's trademarks, such as extravagant lens flares and slow-motion shots, are used with abandon, and while Sofia Boutella delivers a balletic elegance in her fight sequences, it ultimately lacks a uniqueness. The film draws from various influences, including Star Wars, Mad Max, Caravaggio, John Ford, European art-house cinema, World War II propaganda flicks, steampunk Victoriana, cottagecore girlies on Instagram, and Wagner's "Götterdämmerung." The score features two types of choirs and a single frame might include a robot dressed like the Green Knight and a Conan the Barbarian clone. Despite its generic content, "The Scargiver" is a delirious, pulpy mishmash of knockoffs. The first "Rebel Moon" was released on Netflix in December and featured a farm boy named Gunnar and a secretive assassin named Kora. The story picks up five days before the squad must defeat a vicious army led by an admiral (Ed Skrein) with a bad haircut and worse attitude. The script by Snyder, Kurt Johnstad, and Shay Hatten is a mix of exposition and soliloquies, with no authentic conversations. The film features primal, pitiless, and agonizing carnage, with Snyder excelling in his ability to kill anyone, even nice people and grandmothers-turned-guerrilla warriors. The film has plenty of death, but little life, with Boutella, the lead, being listless until she can stabbing. Slow motion footage is used in scenes where actors seem to be ordered to ignore food. Snyder's ostentatiousness is unmatched, with his refusal to dial down any of his impulses, such as dramatic smooches and priestly hats. The film's moral debate is reminiscent of Kevin Smith's "Clerks," where the moral debate revolves around the never-seen workers who died building the Death Star for Darth Vader. Snyder shows their faces and mows them down, making it a more realistic portrayal of the battle.
The Regime: Don't Yet Rejoice (2024)
Don't rejoice yet
The Regime's anthem, "If You Leave Me Now," was inspired by Chicago's "If You Leave Me Now." In the first episode, chancellor Elena Vernham (Kate Winslet) was praised by her people and advisors, and her international standing improved. However, in the finale episode, Elena finds herself on the lam, with Herbert (Matthias Schoenaerts) snatching her away from the palace and into a field. Elena seems to be living in delusion, believing that if her people could see her, they would rise up against rebels and keep her government in place. Despite her current situation, she rails against her situation while wearing a stylish red dress, resembling a sad little red riding hood with a wolf as her bodyguard. The Regime, a HBO series, revolves around Elena and Herbert's mercurial relationship, which is a tense tête a tête between a vain narcissistic capitalist and a loud, brutish socialist. However, the last episode of the series does not fully reveal this tension. While they try to find a safe haven, they encounter random drivers on the road, including a drunk fool who agrees to help them. Elena dreams of absconding to China or meeting Nicky in Europe, but she is betrayed by the fool, who plans to sell her to the rebels. Elena panics and stabbing herself with a wooden stake, only to be saved by her fearless soldier. They face Laskin (Danny Webb), part of the new National Freedom Front, who has managed to weasel his way back into power since abdicating his position in the Vernham government. With Parliament dissolved and Elena's capture, the hope is for a peaceful transition of power. Laskin separates Elena from Herbert and attempts to pit them against one another, accusing each other of betraying them. He pleads with Herbert that she is killing them and may have the potential to offer her a way out. The Regime excels when it focuses on Elena and Herbert's mercurial relationship, but the final episode does not fully showcase this tension. The show's best performances are evident in the characters' interactions and the tension between the two characters. In "If You Leave Me Now," Elena, a woman who has been humiliated by her husband Herbert, meets Emil Bartos, who is now interested in quelling the civil war. Bartos offers Elena a way back in with the help of the Americans, but with the caveat of a sacrificial lamb in the shape of Herbert Zubak. Elena decides to take the deal, as she believes the Americans want to take their country from them and want her to kneel. As Elena prepares for her ninth Victory Day celebration, she is going through the motions, winning but also losing. She hopes to usher in a new era, a new Europe, driven by capitalist foreign investors and American shadow governments. However, all of this sounds very much like the old era, one driven by capitalist foreign investors and American shadow governments, where corruption rots everything from the top and leaves little for those down below. Elena replaces one dead father figure for another, with Herbert embalmed and now resting where her dad used to. She proclaims that she is no one without all of you and blesses them all, and she blesses their love. Her voice reveals a tenuous, fragile steeliness.
The Regime was always a love story between Elena and her sense of power, rather than between her husband and Herbert. She never did hear more than she wanted to and never reached farther than her own idea of victory in her head. A love like that is hard to find and harder still to leave behind. While it may not be a particularly trenchant satirical critique of modern autocracy, Winslet delivers yet another great performance in "If You Leave Me Now."
The Regime: All Ye Faithful (2024)
Phenomenal ending for this show and so beautiful
Episode 5 of The Regime fails to deliver its intended message, focusing heavily on life at the palace rather than the events in the country the Chancellor is meant to look after. The episode portrays Christmas at the palace, filled with celebrations, expensive dinners, and political turmoil. The rebellion against Chancellor Elena Vernham is getting closer to the palace, with Herbert Zuback trying to protect her from the political unrest. Elena's right-hand woman, Agnes, faces a difficult choice as she is offered the chance to betray the Chancellor and seek a new life outside the country. The episode should have been the most interesting so far, as the rebellion is about to reach the palace and Elena's life is in danger. However, the Regime fails to deliver its stakes, as the importance of the rebellion is only conveyed by characters, which is constantly dismissed by Elena. The audience never sees it for themselves until the very end, making it difficult to understand the urgency of the situation. In episode 5, The Regime focuses solely on Elena and her life at the palace, neglecting the conflict and poverty in the country. The show's portrayal of Elena as a delusional and incoherent woman underplays the horror that an authoritarian leader could cause. The reality is that people like Elena exist in politics today, but they are more calculating and ruthless than the Chancellor of the country is portrayed as. The show also heavily emphasizes Elena's sexual relations, which does not benefit the plot or her character development. The end of the show offers a glimpse of the rebellion, but it is only seen in very little. The show's weak portrayal of Elena as a calculating and ruthless woman underplays the horror that such an authoritarian leader could cause. In episode 5, The Regime neglects its most intriguing characters, including Elena's husband Nicholas Vernham and her political opponent Edward Keplinger. These characters are fascinating to watch on screen, especially as they oppose Elena. Herbert, Elena's counterpart, feels less interesting now that he is back on the Chancellor's side. Agnes' storyline is misused, especially in episode 5, where she could have had a bigger role. The show could have explored the internal struggle between protecting her son and being loyal to her Chancellor, which was only suggested in this episode. This episode is too slow, especially before the season's grand finale. The Regime needs a big change in storytelling to deliver a successful season finale next week. The show has the potential to do so with its magnetic acting performances and excellent premise, but in episode 5, it felt undelivered. While it is possible for the show to improve next week, the Regime's track record may beg to differ.
The Regime: Midnight Feast (2024)
I will rewatch this show
The Regime, a political drama series, continues to deliver its best episode yet, with bigger stakes and more interesting plotlines. The country is facing severe sanctions imposed by the West due to the Faban corridor invasion, and Chancellor Elena Vernham (Kate Winslet) seems determined to ignore every issue. Meanwhile, threats around her become more real as her left-wing opponent Edward Keplinger (Hugh Grant) gets closer to her advisor Herbert Zubak (Matthias Schoenaerts) and foreign enemies approach her right-hand woman Agnes (Andrea Riseborough). The propaganda element of Elena's government is particularly interesting in episode 4, as it becomes more evident than ever. The audience sees how Elena and her authoritarian government maintain strict control over its citizens. The media plays a crucial role in this episode, with Elena's constant radio addresses and the way television and news spin the facts and narrative of the events. In episode 4, The Regime finally introduces a bigger picture of Elena's authority and the stakes in the country. The show introduces Keplinger, a character who can pose a significant threat to the current government, and the United States, which test Elena's inner circle's loyalty. However, the stakes are not as high as expected, as the opposition between Hugh Grant and Kate Winslet is not properly conveyed in the storytelling. The political situation seems too complex and abstract for the audience to understand, as they never see any of it. The biggest issue of The Regime remains its extreme focus on Elena and life at the palace. Elena's husband reminds her that she has not left her palace recently, and neither has the audience. The HBO show tells us about a country plagued by famine and extreme poverty, but we rarely get to see any of it for ourselves. Although some citizens of the unnamed country are finally seen in the episode, they are not thoroughly developed or important for the overall storyline.
The Regime: The Heroes' Banquet (2024)
This show is so beautiful
The Regime, an HBO series, is a social commentary and political satire that explores the real-life politics of the country. The show's third episode, "The Heroes' Banquet," follows Chancellor Elena Vernham (Kate Winslet) as she continues her isolationist politics and introduces a new land reform, promoted by Herbert Zubak (Matthias Schoenaerts). As her psychosis worsens, she sends Zubak to the front lines when she authorizes a controversial military mission to occupy and invade the Faban corridor. The power dynamic is particularly interesting as Zubak's growing influence on Elena and the country's politics is eventually seen as its downfall as he is banished from Elena's inner circle. The show is not yet halfway through, and many of Zubak's character arcs seem complete. As the series continues, it is possible to explore his personality and the dangerous but alluring power he seemed to exercise upon the Chancellor. The show's portrayal of real-life politics is both tragic and comical, making it an excellent time to explore its social commentary and political satire. In the third episode of The Regime, Elena's country is portrayed as a satire of modern-day Russia, with the protagonist addressing citizens and their reactions to the military expedition. However, the show remains too closed off to the outside world, leaving little insight into the world politics surrounding Elena's country. The show's strength has been in its dubious figure, which could stand for multiple far-right authoritarian leaders in one character. Episode 3 feels like it is being spoon-fed to the audience rather than organically discovered during the show. This hurts the characters in the series, who end up looking more like walking stereotypes than actual characters we can root for or relate to. While exaggeration and satire may be the main point of The Regime, its building blocks - the characters and their interaction - need to be more than just a means to an end with little motivation behind their actions. In conclusion, The Regime lacks stakes, with no actual antagonistic figure to oppose Elena and her entourage. The United States and the political opponent mentioned in the episode feel like distant threats that the audience never really gets to see. Future episodes should focus on bringing actual conflict into the plot while focusing on what it does best: a political satire that blurs the line between what is fictional and what is our everyday life.
The Regime: The Foundling (2024)
Best Show since GOT
The Regime, a TV series that takes place in a single location, manages to create comedy and drama out of its self-imposed limitations. The show's main character, Elena, is portrayed as paranoid, and her relationship with Herbert Zubak takes on strange twists and turns in episode 2. The show's solid onscreen chemistry helps to convey their implied mental link, with scenes like Elena's negotiation with Senator Judith Holt revealing a more menacing and humorous tone. Zubak's fragile mental state and fraught upbringing are explored, as Elena's top advisors and Nicholas conspire to keep him away from her. His self-flagellation serves Elena and his growing influence in her medicinal routine is evident. Traditional, science-backed medicine is replaced with home remedies and topical mustard treatments, and any ill effects are dismissed as the body purges itself of long dormant toxins. The show's success is largely due to its well-crafted material and solid onscreen chemistry. The Regime's portrayal of Agnes's son's epilepsy medicine is revealed, raising questions about the show's purpose and how Riseborough should be utilized. Despite not being the straight man to Elena's derangement, Riseborough's role in the show suggests she should be more important, possibly as the people's proxy, to demonstrate how Elena's administration affects the country's citizens. Elena's public dressing-down of Bartos (Stanley Townsend) raises questions about her ultimate goal, whether it was to flex her power, show her delusions, or demonstrate the unwiseness of crossing her. The show's portrayal of Elena's administration is intriguing and raises questions about the show's overall impact on the country's citizens. Episode 2 of The Regime features the best comedy from Nicholas's fraying marriage, where he changes his outlook upon her relinquishing. While there are some criticisms, "The Foundling" is an improvement over episode 1, with more grounded yet absurd observations, and the sillier bits of comedy being replaced with more grounded observations. Herbert, a powerful figure, educates Elena on natural remedies and uses them to treat Agnes's epilepsy. However, Agnes continues to use Western medicine, putting the Chancellor's husband and other influential figures at risk. Elena speaks out against American officials and the Cobalt deal, leading to the US sending a senator to the nation to strengthen ties and convince Elena to accept the deal. During a palace celebration, Elena compliments her people and is approached by her advisor Emil Bartosh, who attempts to convince her to maintain a relationship with the US. This leads Elena to believe Emil is trying to capitalize on their connection. Nicky, Elena's husband, confronts her about Herbert's impact on her life, but she claims it is the best she has felt in years. He consults his ministers to remove Herbert, accusing him of violent episodes and suicidal thoughts. However, Nicky knows this won't be enough to break the ice between Herbert and Elena, as Elena's disapproval of the Cobalt agreement may hurt their finances. Housekeeper Agnes visits Herbert Zubak, who has been severely injured and asks her not to tell Elena. The American senator visits Elena, who posts a photo of her on social media with a demeaning caption. The senator tries to convince Elena to support the Cobalt deal, but Elena is unimpressed. Later, Elena escorts Herbert and the Senator to the music room, where Herbert intimidates the senator. Elena also wants to discipline her advisor Emil, who she offers the position of palace cleaner. The ministers inform Nicky that they have evidence against Herbert, and they play him the surveillance tape of his room, showing him engaging in self-pleasure and self-harm while fantasizing about Elena. Nicky suggests that they put wind to the fire instead to make Elena's infatuation fade away quickly. In the second episode, Herbert's influence on Elena becomes stronger, as he is kept for his medical expertise and assists her with diplomatic affairs. In this episode, a US senator visits the chancellor, and Emil, Elena's advisor, is publicly chastised on television. The show's satire and absurdist humor are fascinating, and the characters and their arcs are fascinating.